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Aubrey Sarvis Named Executive Director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network
The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) today named Aubrey Sarvis the organization�s new Executive Director. Sarvis succeeds C. Dixon Osburn, who stepped down in April. Sarvis will officially take on his new leadership role on October 1, 2007. Founded in 1993, SLDN is a national, non-profit policy advocacy, legal services, and watchdog organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and related forms of intolerance.
Sarvis was selected following an extensive nationwide search undertaken by SLDN�s Board of Directors. In accepting the appointment, Sarvis said, �I am humbled and honored to stand side by side with America�s LGBT service members, and to help them achieve the full measure of dignity and equality they deserve.
�We stand very tall today and are greatly strengthened by the appointment of Aubrey Sarvis,� said SLDN Board Co-Chair, Commander Zoe Dunning, USNR (Ret.). �We feel united by the vision he shares with us to defend and protect America�s freedoms around the world while giving our LGBT military personnel the freedom to serve openly and unafraid. Aubrey wore that same uniform, and believes passionately that our cause is just and winnable.� Joe Tom Easley, SLDN�s other Board Co-Chair, added that, �We welcome Aubrey Sarvis' willingness to lead real change. All of us at SLDN are proud to begin this next important chapter in our work.��I have known Aubrey for a long time and one of his qualities I respect the most is his leadership,� said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. �Aubrey�s vast knowledge of government combined with his commitment to public service will serve the organization well. I congratulate him on this new position.�
Congresswoman Shelley Berkeley (D-NV) also hailed Sarvis� appointment, saying that, �SLDN could not be more fortunate today with Aubrey Sarvis at their helm. I am confident he is the very best person to persuade Capitol Hill to join the fight and to win repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Brave men and women who sacrifice everything, especially while America is at war, must not be kicked out of the military.�
Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) added that, ��I am very pleased to welcome Aubrey Sarvis as the new Executive Director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, and I congratulate him on his appointment. SLDN is a very important organization that does great work, and I look forward to working with Aubrey and the staff of SLDN in the future.�
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) said that, �Aubrey�s appointment represents a major breakthrough for SLDN and the LGBT community. He brings a sense of urgency and a deep commitment to repealing Don�t Ask Don�t Tell. He understands the realities of the legislative process as well as how to get votes on tough issues.�
Sarvis is a military veteran who enlisted at the age of 17, served over three years active duty including thirteen months as an infantryman along the DMZ in South Korea. Following his early uniformed military service, for over three decades he has been a senior Congressional staff leader and was a high-ranking policy and government relations executive and attorney with a Fortune 50 company. A native of South Carolina, Sarvis has been involved in numerous political and legislative battles during his Congressional and corporate careers. [Sarvis� biography follows, below.">
SLDN operates with a $3 million budget, with 17 full-time staff. For more information, including photographs of Sarvis and SLDN�s work to repeal �Don�t Ask, Don�t� Tell,� visit www.sldn.org.
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Aubrey Sarvis -- Bio
Military Service:
Enlisted from high school at the age of 17, Aubrey Sarvis served his nation ably in the U.S. Army, receiving an honorable discharge in June 1965 after three years and three months. For thirteen months of this service he was a member of the 7th Infantry Division along the Demilitarized Zone in South Korea where he earned marksmanship medals and the Army Good Conduct Medal. He also worked as a personnel specialist at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and Fort Lee, Virginia.
Professional Overview:
Aubrey Sarvis is a former, seasoned senior Congressional staff leader, and accomplished government relations officer and skilled lawyer with over thirty years experience in public policy, legal affairs, corporate policies and national politics.
He has served as Staff Director and Chief Counsel of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee (1977-1983), under the leadership of former U.S. Senators Howard Cannon (D-Nevada) and later on behalf of Senator Fritz Hollings (D-SC).
By appointment to Senator Howard Cannon, Sarvis also worked as legislative director, analyst and chief legal advisor (1970 through 1976).
For Verizon Communications (formerly Bell Atlantic), Sarvis was named Executive Vice President, heading the Verizon public policy and legislative operations of 40 fellow professionals. In this capacity he advised the Chairman and Vice Chairman as well as other senior officers including spearheading Verizon�s active leadership supporting the Employment NonDiscrimination Act (ENDA) in Congressional appearances, testimony and Capitol Hill lobbying. His service at Verizon spans the years 1984 through 1998.
Following Verizon and to the present time, Aubrey Sarvis then established an independent public policy consulting firm in Washington, D.C. representing Fortune 100 companies.
Education:
Aubrey Sarvis received his B.A. in 1969 from Washington D.C.�s American University, as well as additional coursework at La Sorbonne in Paris, both under the GI Bill.
He received his legal education and J.D. from American University in 1975, and undertook graduate management studies at Harvard Business School in 1980. In 1988, he also successfully completed graduate business courses at Columbia University�s School of Business.
Voluntary Service:
Aubrey Sarvis has contributed much of his own time and skills to serve on several voluntary boards and nonprofits in his native state of South Carolina as well as in Washington, D.C. In particular, he served as a Board Member of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund dedicated to recruiting, aiding and electing many of America�s most qualified openly LGBT political officials.
An active Democratic Party ally and leader, he has served in DNC and party campaign posts over the past 20 years including fundraising support and volunteer leadership for Presidents Carter and Clinton and on behalf of Vice President (and Senator) Gore, and Senators Hollings and Cannon.
